Intercessory prayer - What is it?

from the old testament

• Abraham, Moses, David, are examples of those who interceded on behalf of others in their pleas to God. One of the most dramatic accounts of intercessory prayer is found in Genesis 18 as Abraham repeatedly asked God to spare any who were righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah. He asks God to forestall destruction for fifty righteous people, then increasingly less down to ten. God did spare Lot and his family (Genesis 19:1-29).
• Nearly all people of God in the Bible can be found praying for others. Daniel prayed for the nation of Judah in response to God's Word (Daniel 9).

from the new testament

• The Bible specifically indicates, through direct command or example, some groups of people for whom we are to pray: those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2), our spiritual leaders (Philippians 1:19), Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), fellow citizens (Romans 10:1), the sick (James 5:14), our enemies (Jeremiah 29:7), those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), and, virtually, everyone (1 Timothy 2:1).
• God Himself sets the example. We are told that Jesus intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25) and the Holy Spirit prays for us (Romans 8:26).
• Every Christian can intercede for others. The entire church, not specifically gifted people, prayed for Peter (Acts 12:5). Paul tells the Ephesian church to pray for others (Ephesians 6:16-18) and asks the Christians in Ephesus, Rome, and Colossae to pray for him (Ephesians 6:19; Romans 15:30; Colossians 4:2-3).
• We can pray for others because we are granted access to God through Jesus and His sacrifice. Jesus has interceded on our behalf. Hebrews 10:19-23 says, "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." God enables us to approach Him and invites us to come to Him. This is why we can pray with confidence, for ourselves and for others.

implications for today

Praying for others is one of the most powerful and loving things we can do because we have the privilege as God’s children to come boldly before His throne (Hebrews 4:16). Through Jesus, the ultimate Intercessor (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25), we have direct access to the King of the universe—so when we pray for someone, we are bringing their needs straight into the presence of God. Intercessory prayer is not passive; it is actively standing in the gap for someone who needs God’s help, guidance, healing, or protection.

This could mean praying for a friend walking through cancer treatment, asking God for physical healing and peace in the waiting. It might be lifting up a missionary serving overseas, asking God to strengthen them and open hearts to the gospel. It could be pleading for wisdom and integrity for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:2), or asking God to comfort a neighbor who is grieving. Like Abraham interceding for Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33) or Daniel praying for his people (Daniel 9:3-19), we approach God not because we are perfect, but because He is faithful.

When we pray for others, we join in God’s work of blessing, protecting, and transforming lives. Our prayers may move the Lord to act in ways we will never see, but they always matter because God hears and responds. Jesus has made the way for us to come close to God, and now we get to carry others into His presence, trusting Him to do what only He can do.